Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8973)
Republic Act No. 8973 is commonly known as the "Charter of the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay."
The municipalities of Buug, Diplahan, Malangas, Imelda, Alicia, Mabuhay, Olutanga, Talusan, Payao, Siay, Kabasalan, Naga, Ipil, Titay, R.T. Lim, and Tungawan comprise the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay.
The Municipality of Ipil is the capital town and seat of government of the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay.
The province has corporate powers including continuous succession in its corporate name; to sue and be sued; to have and use a corporate seal; to acquire, hold, and convey property; to enter into contracts/agreements; and to exercise other powers subject to legal limitations.
The present Third District of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur constitutes the Lone Congressional District of the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay.
The Sanggunian Panlalawigan is composed of the provincial vice governor as presiding officer, regular members, presidents of the provincial chapters of the Liga ng mga Barangay, Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan, provincial federation of councilors of component cities and municipalities, and three sectoral representatives.
The Provincial Legal Officer must be a Filipino citizen, resident of the province, of good moral character, a member of the Philippine Bar, and must have practiced law for at least five years.
If a permanent vacancy occurs, the vice governor assumes the governorship. If the vice governor refuses or is unable, the highest-ranking member of the sanggunian assumes the office, with further succession following the ranking of sanggunian members.
No increase in the rates of local taxes, including real property tax, shall be imposed by the new province within five years from the date of its corporate existence.
Every ordinance is presented to the governor for approval. If approved, the governor signs it; if vetoed, the veto is returned with reasons to the sanggunian. The sanggunian may override the veto by a two-thirds vote, making the ordinance effective without the governor's approval.